'He's Basically a Republican Now': Fetterman Turns to GOP Donors For Campaign Cash

Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, a Democrat who has spent recent years at odds with his own party, has begun soliciting campaign money through channels tied to Republicans. Fundraising emails signed in his name have gone out from addresses linked to GOP candidates and committees, among them info@gopsquad.com, and under names such as Unshakeable Conservatives and Freedom Faction. One message says he will always reject "Socialism" and urges recipients to "reject the extremes." Another, sent under Senator Mike Lee's name, opens by calling Fetterman "basically a Republican now." Who owns the lists, and what deal the campaign struck with their operators, is unknown, according to Time.

The move fits a trajectory that began when he arrived in the Senate in 2023. A former progressive endorsed by Bernie Sanders, Fetterman now builds his image on opposing the left and backing Israel, and his support among Democrats has eroded. Federal records show he collected around $76 million before he took his seat, versus about $7.4 million in his first two Senate years and under $2 million since the start of 2025. Since 2023 his PAC's total receipts amount to a few hundred thousand dollars.

Fetterman has also appeared often on Fox News, joined a Rupert Murdoch retreat in July, formed a joint fundraising operation with Senator Dave McCormick, and addressed the Republican midterm convention by video. He has not said whether he will run in 2028. Representative Brendan Boyle recalled calling him "Trump's favorite Democrat," while Representative Chris Deluzio called him a "distraction."

Summarized by PolitiKool from Time’s reporting. Read the full story at Time →